Tastes

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye (136.1 Proof) Nose: Toasted cinnamon raisin bread. Hot, but deceiving. On the nose, no hotter than some 120 proofs I’ve had. Palate: It’s creamy and sweet on first sip, but just a moment of that. There’s more complexity here than maybe any other JD I’ve had. There’s baking spice that compliments the nose so well. The rye note is present, as it should be. Finish: The richness and creaminess lingers, but so does the heat and sweetness. The flavors in the finish make me feel like I just finished a bananas foster. Caramel goodness, and a bit of maple too. Cheers 🥃

Booker’s 2023-01 “Charlie’s Batch” Nose: Fresh baked blondies with walnuts, cooked via a dutch oven by the campfire. Palate: The traditional Beam salty nuttiness is there, but there’s also a dark, rich honey that immediately pours over those initial flavors. To my palate, every bit of the 126.6 proof is present. It’s a smooth, viscous mouthfeel of a much older bourbon that the 7 year age statement on this batch. Finish: Charred oak gives way to a tart cherry soda. Final thoughts: It’s a crazy good sub $100 bottle. I don’t have a long history with Booker’s, but comparing it to other bottles on my shelf at the $100 to $125 price point, this is a top contender. If you see it at SRP, up to $125, put it on your shelf. It hits way outside of its SRP price tag.

Reviewing this Forest City ABC store pick tonight. Nose: Apple and Oak, almost like a wooden bushel basket of apples. Palate: Comes across rye forward. It’s bright, so much so that it does the 9 year age statement no justice. But, it’s rescued by the smooth, slightly oily mouthfeel. Finish: There’s a bitter note of pomegranate that lingers, and a burn that’s deceiving giving the 109 proof.